National Environmental Science Program guidelines and information

The National Environmental Science Program (NESP) follows a set of guidelines and principles. These documents outline best practice for the program.

You can find the Grant Opportunity Guidelines for NESP phase 2 at the Community Grants Hub.

Data and information guidelines

These guidelines outline the data and information management arrangements for NESP. They reflect current industry standards for data management.

NESP data and information guidelines - Phase 2 (PDF 449 KB)
NESP data and information guidelines - Phase 2 (DOCX 1 MB)

Brand standards and funding acknowledgement

The NESP brand is suitable for use in all NESP communication materials. This includes both hub products, and products produced by the department.

All published materials from NESP research must acknowledge Australian Government funding.

NESP brand standards - Phase 2 (PDF 12.5 MB)
NESP brand standards - Phase 2 (DOCX 5.2 MB)

Indigenous partnership principles

The partnership principles in this document are a guide for building effective collaborations with Indigenous Australians. All NESP research will apply these principles.

NESP Indigenous partnership principles - Phase 2 (PDF 648 KB)
NESP Indigenous partnership principles - Phase 2 (DOCX 1.3 MB)

Three Category Approach

The NESP Three Category Approach provides a pathway to improved relationship building. The Workbook for researchers is a step-by-step guide. It supports researchers to build appropriate and meaningful partnerships with Indigenous Australians.

Cultural Security Framework

Cultural security ensures that NESP upholds the cultural rights and values of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples by creating safe, respectful environments grounded in cultural responsiveness.

This framework sets out key principles and priority actions for implementation across NESP. It applies to all NESP hub researchers, students and support staff.

Knowledge brokering and communications strategy

This strategy guides NESP knowledge brokering and communication and supports hubs’ individual strategies.

NESP knowledge brokering and communications strategy - Phase 2 (PDF 1.1 MB)
NESP knowledge brokering and communications strategy - Phase 2 (DOCX 1.3 MB)

Independent mid-term evaluation of the National Environmental Science Program 2021–27

In 2025 the department commissioned an independent mid-term evaluation of NESP 2 (2021–27). The review was provided to the department in October 2025, and we provided a response to the review in December 2025.

The review makes recommendations for a future phase of the program, referred to as ‘NESP3’. For consistency, our response uses the same name. As of December 2025, the design of any future program has not been considered or agreed by the Australian Government.

Independent review of the National Environmental Science Program 2014–21

In 2022 we commissioned an independent review of NESP 1 (2014–21). The review also considered the design of NESP 2 (2021–27).

A public summary of the review was finalised in June 2023. We provided a response to the review in November 2023 and completed all actions by January 2025.

Independent review of NESP - Summary (PDF 530 KB)
Independent review of NESP - Summary (DOCX 2.43 MB)

Our response to independent review of NESP (PDF 294 KB)
Our response to independent review of NESP (DOCX 1.27 MB)

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